Saint Anselm College selects a new president

Kathy Remillard, k-rem@comcast.net

GOFFSTOWN - A new president will lead Saint Anselm College beginning July 1, college officials announced.Steven DiSalvo, Ph.D., has accepted an appointment by Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., to succeed Father Jonathan DeFelice, who has led the Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts college for the past 24 years.

DiSalvo will be the 10th president of the college, and the first time in the college’s history, it will be led by a non-Benedictine.

In a statement to alumni, officials welcomed DiSalvo, currently president of Marian University in Wisconsin, saying he brings a wealth of experience that will advance the excellence of the college.

“While we were blessed with a talented and qualified pool of applicants, the Board of Trustees voted overwhelmingly to approve Abbot Mark’s selection of Dr. DiSalvo, whom we believe possesses the leadership qualities that Saint Anselm requires at this challenging and exciting time in higher education,” the statement read.According to biographies posted on the college’s website, DiSalvo joined Marian University in 2010, and comes with extensive experience in national philanthropic fundraising leadership and Catholic higher education.

DiSalvo served as president and founder of The Hopewell Group Inc., which focuses on transfers of wealth for individuals, family foundations and corporations.

He held the title of executive cirector of the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, which works to educate and end the cycle of domestic violence.He also served as the chief operating officer of Junior Achievement of New York Inc., which provides business education using volunteer role models.

DiSalvo holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University, New York, an M.B.A. in marketing from Fordham University, a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Fordham University and attended the Higher Education Institute for New Presidents at Harvard University.